Try Faux Watercoloring for an Ethereal Effect on Your Next Spring Card

Keisha Diann
6 days ago
2 min read

Colorful card with butterfly designs on pastel background. Text: "Enjoy your day." Includes phrases like "Flourish Butterfly Trio." Floral accents.

Hello Lovelies! I'm revisiting one of my favorite techniques for a dreamy effect with the Flourish Butterfly Trio and some other goodies from the Simon Says Stamp In My Heart Release! I picked an everyday sentiment from CZ Designs Thanks Mom Stamp Set for the sentiment, but this card could be perfect for a variety of occasions.

Today's faux watercoloring technique for this ethereal Spring card features some easy ink-smooshing. We won't waste any ink by using it first on our die-cuts for more intense color and then in the background for a softer look. Simple tips for success:

USE WATERCOLOR PAPER.
INK PADS FOR LIGHTER COLORS, REINKER FOR BOLDER COLORS.
EVEN IF IT LOOKS UNPRETTY AT FIRST, IT WILL BE BEAUTIFUL FOR DIE-CUTTING.

I just noticed the contrast between the embossed background and the debossed bunny!

Key Supplies for An Ethereal Faux Watercoloring Spring Card

Click HERE for the full list!

Today's GIF!

This is another kind of butterfly. LOL

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ENJOY YOUR DAY CARD - Ink-smooshing, Stamping and Die-cutting

Card Size: ~4 1/4" x 5 1/2"

Colorful card with pastel butterflies and text "Enjoy your day" on white, lace-edged paper. Floral background, cheerful mood. — Cute test passed with flying colors!

COLOR PALETTE

DISTRESS INK PADS: Twisted Citron, Evergreen Bough, Wilted Violet, Seedless Preserves, Dusty Concord, Mustard Seed

CARD HIGHLIGHTS

Die-cut the background and butterflies out of Distress Watercolor cardstock using the Teardrop Pinpoint Frames and Flourish Butterfly Trio.
Press the each ink-pad into a non-porous craft surface as shown
Mist with water mixed with Perfect Pearl Powder (white).
Dab the butterflies into the watery color puddles to mix the colors. Mist again with more water and dab the die-cut background into the remaining ink.
- Don't overthink it, but allow the colors to mix and spread on the paper.
- Help it along with your finger if you need to.
- Dry naturally or dry with your heat tool on low.
Stamp and die-cut the sentiment out of Moonflower cardstock.

INK-SMOOSHING PUDDLES

Colorful ink splotches in green, yellow, teal, purple, and pink are on grid paper with measurement lines, creating an artistic display.

INK-SMOOSHED BACKGROUND

Pastel watercolor card with scalloped edges on a grid background. Soft blend of yellow, pink, and green hues. No text visible.

INK-SMOOSHED BUTTERFLIES

Colorful paper butterflies in pastel shades on a textured, translucent surface. They appear delicate and artistic, creating a serene mood.

TIPS FOR COLORING EMBOSSING FOLDER

USE WATERCOLOR PAPER - Other cardstock will work but watercolor paper handles the flow of water-based mediums best.
INK PADS FOR LIGHTER COLORS, REINKER FOR BOLDER COLORS - Ink-pads distribute ink in less intense quantities, than if you are using it directly from the reinker botter. Choose which works best for you desired look.
EVEN IF IT LOOKS UNPRETTY AT FIRST, IT WILL BE BEAUTIFUL FOR DIE-CUTTING - let your colors dry, a lot of magic happens once dry and colors tend to appear more harmonious.

UP CLOSE AND CRAFTY

Colorful embossed butterflies on ornate paper, surrounded by pastel accents and soft pink flowers, create a delicate, cheerful scene. — Because they are small, I only tried to ink each butterfly in about two colors.

Decorative card features "Enjoy your day" in purple script. Yellow and orange butterflies embellish an ornate white border, with pastel hues. — Easy-breezy sentiment for our ethereal card!

Colorful, embossed butterflies on a pastel background with decorative edges and multicolored dots. Text reads "you" partially visible. — Can you see the subtle shimmer of the Perfect Pearls?

LAST LOOK

Card with pastel butterflies and the text "Enjoy your day" in a floral setting. Soft purple envelope and scattered colorful sequins. — Paper Hug delivered!!!

Thanks for stopping by today! Drop me a comment and say hi!

SUPPLIES:

I listed the products that I have used below. Please note that these are compensated affiliate links, used at no cost to you. I really appreciate your support. All stamps used today were part of my In My Heart maker package from Simon Says Stamp. Click on the icons below each product picture to shop with SimonSaysStamp.com.